RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota Mines golf teams wrapped up their home tournament this fall on Tuesday after 54 holes of golf for the men, and 36 holes of golf for the women.
 
The men's team finished 3rd, after a great third round in which they shot a 294, the second-best team score of the entire tournament. Joseph Vincent was great throughout, posting 1-over 73's in round 1, and round 2, before shooting an even-par 72 to close out the tournament. His three-day score of 218 earned him a tie for 2nd place, just 3 strokes behind the first-place finisher. Bryce Howard and Jake Francis also finished in the top 20 for South Dakota Mines, with Roger Nakagawa finishing just outside that mark in a tie for 21st. Howard bounced back after a tough 11-over 83 in round one, to shoot +3 in the remaining two rounds. Francis shot +18, but also had a good third round, shooting +1, 73. Nakagawa shot a 19-over 235, 3-round total. Lane Jensen rounded out the first team and shot a 247. The men's second team comprised of Carson McDaniel, Ian Bjork, Braydon Jones, and Bret Elkin finished in 10th, with them shooting 246, 247, 255, and 265. 
 
"We played well and got better each round," said head coach Luke Wheeler. "Proud of the way they handled themselves, placing third is a great accomplishment with that field of teams" added coach Wheeler. Lastly, Coach Wheeler stated, "Joseph Vincent shooting lights out to finish 2nd was spectacular, overall we have a lot to build off of as a team."
 
The women had a great outing with their first team taking home a 4th place finish, and their second team placing 6th.
 
Annika Schooler had a great performance, as she was consistently in the mix with the leaders, and finished 6th overall after a 79 in the second round. Rianna Garland struggled to a 91 in the first round, but bounced back in a big way, shooting the second-best round 2 score with a 77, to finish in 10th. Jessalyn Shipp also finished in the top 20 for the Hardrockers, after a two-round 175. Mya Maxwell and Abby Magee rounded out the first team, shooting +21, and +25 for the tournament to both place in the top 35.
"Annika and Rianna both shooting in the 70's was incredible with how the course was playing", said Coach Wheeler.
 
The second team made up Portia Lenczowski, Lora Ortega, Julia Sabetti, and Alexandra Rauert also had three top 30 finishers with Ortega finishing 24th, Sabetti in 27th, and Lenczowski in 30th, shooting 185, 187, and 188 respectively. Rauert shot a 204.
 
"I am proud of each one of the ladies for how they battled the conditions, and the course said coach Wheeler, adding, "there were a lot of positives we can take away."
 
About South Dakota Mines
The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) and NCAA Division II offering 11 men's and women's varsity intercollegiate athletic programs. The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is a premier NCAA Division II conference with 15 members, as well as four associate members, located in the states of California, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Utah.